MELKSHAM Seniors’ new chair, Martin Pain, has announced his vision and ambitions for the local club.
Martin, who is also a town councillor, has replaced outgoing chair, Jim Law.
His plans for Melksham Seniors include increasing the number of members, lobbying local and national policy that affects the health and wellbeing of older people, supporting the age friendly initiative, and improving communication between the older and younger generations in the town.
Speaking to Melksham News, Martin explained, “I was surprised to be elected as chair – I had previously turned down the role as I didn’t think I had enough experience. But this time I have the backing of a number of prominent Melksham people – they will be my board of advisers who will help steer Melksham Seniors into the 21st century.
“As chair I want to continue to increase membership to the club – this is most important. We will continue to build on the successful programme of reaching out to older people in the surrounding villages, as well as in the town.
“I also want to return to the original idea that former chair Brian Warwick had for the club – to represent older people and to lobby and influence local and national policies that affect the health and wellbeing of older people.
“Another objective is to continue to support Wiltshire Council and the Melksham Area Board on the ‘age friendly’ agenda.
“Improving intergenerational communication and organising events for all ages is also on my agenda. I don’t believe in isolating groups from one another. Young people have a lot to offer and by working with them, the older generation can also share their experience with them. That’s a big thing I want to achieve – getting rid of the generation gap.
“We are also reorganising the way the club is run – we’ve cut down the number of committee members and given each person their own portfolio of responsibilities – for example, the Thursday club at Riverside, and the Seniors’ movies at the Assembly Hall will be managed by sub-committees who can make decisions quickly. We are bringing Melksham Seniors into the 21st century!”
